Embu County set to generate 146MW of energy

Workers at a hydro power plant by Kleen Energy limited at River Rupingazi in Njukiri sub-location, Embu County on May 7, 2015. The plant will produce 6MW of electricity.

Embu county is set to add some 146 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the national grid.

This follows the initiatives of two investors who have embarked on building three power plants in the county.

Through the public-private partnership, Four Seasons Powers of US has partnered with the county government to build a Sh26.6 billion solar and wind power plant in Machang'a, Mbeere South sub-county that will produce 140MW of electricity.

Equally, Kleen Energy, owned by investors from the county is also on the ground building a hydro-power plant at Rupingazi River in Njukiri, which will produce 6MW on completion.

Last week, Governor Martin Wambora visited the Kleen Energy construction site where he met the firm's directors and described the project as the first critical energy plant to be successfully done by local investors.

"This is a critical project that will give our country double digit growth rate, and will also provide an enabling environment for development," he said.

Accompanied by his Infrastructure Executive Suleiman Nthiga, Mr Wambora promised to provide the facilitation needed by the entrepreneurs.

Kleen Energy Director Eddy Mugo said the 3.4km canal project was started in 2008 and would sell power to the national grid on completion.

"We have entered into power purchase agreement with Kenya Power to sell power to them. We will feed the national grid with a cost effective and clean source of power," he said.

Mr Mugo said they entered into a contract with Kenya Forestry Service to have the plant in a forest land for 25 years whereas the power house would be housed in a private land.

Co-director Rosemary Mugo said the plant currently employs 50 casuals, and it aims to employ at least 20 people on permanent terms once its starts production.

Ms Mugo said the plant uses modern technology in power production through the contractor BFL of India, which holds 65 per cent of all hydro power projects in India, while locally they were working with Rift Valley Machineries.

A fortnight ago, the county signed a deal with Four Seasons Powers to start a wind plant that will produce 100MW and a solar plant that will produce 40MW.